People Are Spreading Fake Claims of Violence at "Black Panther" Screenings

They're using old photos.

After months of anticipation, Black Panther has officially arrived in movie theaters. A high number of fans are expected to turn out for the film, with ticket sales breaking records that made it difficult for even the actors to secure a seat. Unfortunately, some racists on the Internet have been spreading fake claims of violence during the movie's opening screenings.

Buzzfeedreports Twitter trolls have been spreading false stories of violence that they endured during screenings of Black Panther. The social media posts in question have used images from previous acts of violence that have absolutely nothing to do with the film. Among the photos being used include a woman who was attacked at a bar in Sweden last month, and Colbie Holderness, ex-wife of former White House staff secretary Rob Porter who recently opened up about alleged domestic abuse. One image used in a tweet is reportedly nearly a decade old, Buzzfeed noted.

This isn't the first time that Black Panther has endured the tirade of racist trolls. Ahead of the movie's release, people began attacking its score on IMDb. Facebook even took action against a group that aimed to sabotage the movie's online ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, removing the cohort of detractors.

It's important to always take news spread on social media with a grain of salt, especially in this case. Keep in mind that there are tools available to help you better understand what information on the Internet is factual, and always remain vigilant of your privacy while online.

Hopefully, people will be able to enjoy their screenings of Black Panther without trolls ruining the experience.